Supporting the community: Officer becomes a double winner

TWICE COMMENDED: Ahmed Farooqi has been recognised for his work around community cohesion in Manchester

A Police Community Support Officer from Greater Manchester Police has twice been commended by the Chief Constable in the last two weeks, all because of his work around community cohesion.

Ahmed Farooqi, who works as a PCSO in Didsbury, was first recognised at the Forces internal STARS awards last month, winning the prestigious Karin Mulligan award for Diversity in Action. He then received a Chief’s Commendation at a ceremony a few days later.

45-year-old Ahmed, originally from India, received both awards for his work while assisting St Edmunds Church food bank in Whalley Range, establishing a multi faith council and giving presentations to the senior Indian community about hate crime.

During the Paris attacks of November 2015, Ahmed brought the Multi-Faith council together - which consists of all Imams, Priests and Temple leaders from Hindu and Sikh Communities -for an event in solidarity.

Mr Farooqi represented the South Manchester Area in the ‘We Stand Together’ campaign, which was run by Greater Manchester police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd and Chief Inspector Umer Khan.

PCSO Farooqi said: “I am proud to serve as a PCSO to a multicultural, diverse community which is made up of both beautiful old Victorian churches to still very active Mosques.

“Receiving the award felt like all the work I did with the community had been recognised - I didn’t feel that I got the award personally, I feel that I am the recipient of the award on behalf of the whole Whalley Range community.”

GMP’s Chief Constable gives out commendations throughout the year, recognising members of the public and officers for an impressive contribution to their community.

Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, who presented Ahmed with the commendation, said: “Effective policing is only achieved through community cohesion, something that Ahmed works extremely hard to achieve.

“Greater Manchester has wonderfully diverse communities and its people like PCSO Farooqi who show just what can be achieved when we all come together. It’s right that we recognise his work both internally and alongside members of the public – thank you for your service Ahmed.”